Reasons To Join the Military, Script Flippin' |
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 Jan 2 2008, 12:52 AM
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#1
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 ^_^  Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466  |
The other post contradicting this one, is from two years ago. I found the excerpt from a website while randomly surfing the net and I found it interesting. I didn't know if any of it was actually true, but because I thought it was interesting, I posted it for others to debate on the subject. Mostly in hopes that someone with military experience would reasonably debate the ludicrously outlandish statements instead of take the bonehead 'red-blooded American' approach. To my disappointment, most were just as curious as to the truth as I was and the only disputers seemed to throw the darts at me. Disappointing.
Two years later, I can actually dispute that post based on facts and the little experience I have in my Marine Corps career. Throw the darts if you will since this is actually coming from someone serving. I feel as though its necessary to post this to disprove the misconceptions about the military, the service members and the lifestyle that we must live as the nation's enlisted. Perhaps some clarification will encourage others to join, or maybe it'll just be a good read. Whatever the case, I hope you take something from it. 1. Education. Although a bit difficult with obvious time constraints, it is possible to obtain a BA in 4 years. There are a handful of collegiate institutions available on each base that offer both classroom and online courses. Guess what? Its completely free, in a sense. The Montgomery GI Bill is for use post-military career. The smart route, if you're pursuing graduate study, is to complete your BA through the use of tuition assistance, and obtain a Master's (and then some) once you get out. The ability to demonstrate positive leadership ability, combined with tangible education from a respected school (University of Maryland, for example) is a stepping stone to better employment once the military chapter of one's life is over. 2. Pay and Living. We're not rich people. Its possible to invest and maintain an upstart business, or even work a part time job, but let's face it; two steady paychecks every single month, with benefits, and no utilities to worry about is a pretty sweet deal. The barracks I live in resemble the same dorms that are at the University of Texas- San Antonio. They aren't glamorous, but they'll be clean? Why? You clean them every Thursday; top to bottom. It seems a little asinine for an adult to be told when to clean, but the quality of life is a definite improvement from those who have lived in financial underprivileged households. And for a young man or woman, just starting out in life, this structure of pay housing is a stepping stone to living life when the military is over. 3. Community. I don't like every Marine that I meet, nor do I respect every one of them personally, but I'll be damned if I don't recognize a Marine in some strange location, salty or green, and don't give them a casual, "Oorah." This gun club isn't the largest, but we're known for sticking together. I've met a lot of people that have lived their lives as loners and couldn't find acceptance. Sure, you'll have cliques here and there and people that still feel as though secluding themselves is the best remedy for their own sanity, but someone is always going to have their back. Esprit de Corps. These are just a few reasons. I can tell you that, for me, the list goes on. This can be a more appropriate thread for a reasonable discussion about joining the military. |
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Jan 3 2008, 11:52 PM
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#51
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 The Resident Drunk Group: Head Staff Posts: 8,623 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 593,266 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 3 2008, 11:49 PM)  Negative. I wouldn't mind being one. I'm a Combat Engineer/Awards Chief. In English please lol. |
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Jan 4 2008, 12:34 AM
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#52
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(DoubleJ @ Jan 3 2008, 11:52 PM) In English please lol. When deployed: blow shit up. When not deployed: Unit operations and combat awards |
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Jan 4 2008, 01:16 AM
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#53
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 Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 4,750 Joined: Apr 2004 Member No: 10,581 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 4 2008, 01:49 PM) Negative. I wouldn't mind being one. I'm a Combat Engineer/Awards Chief. You're in the Marines? Where are you stationed? |
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Jan 4 2008, 01:29 AM
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#54
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(jaeman @ Jan 4 2008, 01:16 AM) You're in the Marines? Where are you stationed? Okinawa, Japan. |
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Jan 4 2008, 01:55 AM
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#55
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 Senior Member Group: Posts: 8,274 Joined: Mar 2004 Member No: 8,001 |
QUOTE(Sulfur-in-K @ Jan 2 2008, 05:37 PM) Shoot to disarm, not to kill. It can be done. Shoot to disarm means you'll have a chance of being shot by the person you disarm. |
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Jan 4 2008, 02:22 AM
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#56
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 4,750 Joined: Apr 2004 Member No: 10,581 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 4 2008, 03:29 PM) Okinawa, Japan. Are you kidding me? I'm in Yokosuka, Japan. |
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Jan 4 2008, 11:19 AM
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#57
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 cB Assassin Group: Official Member Posts: 10,147 Joined: Mar 2004 Member No: 7,672 |
QUOTE(Fist @ Jan 4 2008, 01:55 AM) Shoot to disarm means you'll have a chance of being shot by the person you disarm. When I say disarm, I mean that literally. dis-ARM |
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Jan 4 2008, 07:48 PM
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#58
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The Resident Drunk Group: Head Staff Posts: 8,623 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 593,266 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 4 2008, 12:34 AM) When deployed: blow shit up. When not deployed: Unit operations and combat awards Sounds like a lot of fun eh. How is Japan? |
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Jan 5 2008, 04:09 PM
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#59
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 Jake - The Unholy Trinity / Premiscuous Poeteer. Group: Member Posts: 1,272 Joined: May 2006 Member No: 411,316 |
QUOTE(Steven @ Jan 3 2008, 12:04 PM) My impression of the National Guard is that it was the military for people who didn't want to see combat, aside from worrying about illegals and drugs. We went to one of the bases in Washington on our trip and they took us for a ride in these boats meant to chase down drug smugglers. Was pretty f**king badass the way they could handle these boats and the speeds they hit on the water. To tell you the truth Guard is usually deployed before active duty. |
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| *Steven* |
Jan 5 2008, 07:59 PM
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#60
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Guest |
 I figured their main object was homeland security.
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Jan 6 2008, 01:02 AM
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#61
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(IGetSex @ Jan 5 2008, 04:09 PM) To tell you the truth Guard is usually deployed before active duty. What I've found to be evident with reserve units, regardless of their branch, is that they're definitely lacking in training. Its frustrating because there are active duty that would rather be deployed on a more regular basis but its cheaper, speaking in terms of the Marine Corps, to send a reserve unit. QUOTE Sounds like a lot of fun eh. How is Japan? I could (and would like to) stay here for the rest of my life. QUOTE Are you kidding me? I'm in Yokosuka, Japan. What branch? We can hit up Roppongi next time I'm in mainland... just don't tell my ol' lady.  She knows what goes on there.
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Jan 7 2008, 04:03 AM
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#62
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 4,750 Joined: Apr 2004 Member No: 10,581 |
I'm actually here for the break, I get back to California soon. I'm actually under an AFROTC scholarship at SDSU but I'm still gung ho about Navy. I used to go to the high school here, walking around in my little NJROTC uniform.
Anyway, I definitely know Roppongi. We should hit that up whenever I come back for another break. 
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Jan 7 2008, 09:39 AM
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#63
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(jaeman @ Jan 7 2008, 04:03 AM) I'm actually here for the break, I get back to California soon. I'm actually under an AFROTC scholarship at SDSU but I'm still gung ho about Navy. I used to go to the high school here, walking around in my little NJROTC uniform. Anyway, I definitely know Roppongi. We should hit that up whenever I come back for another break. You go to SDSU?! When I was stationed in Cali, I was messing around with a broad who went there. I didn't tell anyone I was in the military, though. You know how it is with college kids and Marines in San Diego. There are so many nights that I can and I can't remember, that involved me stumbling down Montezuma, going from house party to house party. How's your Japanese? |
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Jan 8 2008, 04:05 AM
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#64
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 4,750 Joined: Apr 2004 Member No: 10,581 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 7 2008, 11:39 PM) You go to SDSU?! When I was stationed in Cali, I was messing around with a broad who went there. I didn't tell anyone I was in the military, though. You know how it is with college kids and Marines in San Diego. There are so many nights that I can and I can't remember, that involved me stumbling down Montezuma, going from house party to house party. How's your Japanese? Jumping from house party to house party, eh? Sounds pretty sweet, man.  My Japanese is enough to get by, enough to talk to girls and get fed at the restaurants. Sometimes I think I cheat my Japanese skills when I go to CoCo's (I'm sure you know CoCo's, the one that's just on the tip of Blue Street), the staff speaks English and they even take U.S. currency.
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Jan 8 2008, 04:59 AM
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#65
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(jaeman @ Jan 8 2008, 04:05 AM) Jumping from house party to house party, eh? Sounds pretty sweet, man. My Japanese is enough to get by, enough to talk to girls and get fed at the restaurants. Sometimes I think I cheat my Japanese skills when I go to CoCo's (I'm sure you know CoCo's, the one that's just on the tip of Blue Street), the staff speaks English and they even take U.S. currency. CoCo's is on point. Chicken Cutlet Curry, level 6. Thats my shit. My Japanese is about the same, I suppose. I definitely understand a lot more than I can speak, and I recognize and can write random kanji symbols that serve no purpose is everyday conversation. SUGOI!!! ^_^ |
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Jan 8 2008, 07:35 AM
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#66
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 4,750 Joined: Apr 2004 Member No: 10,581 |
Level 6! That's pretty hardcore already, the highest I've gone so far is level 5. I get tonkatsu, basically a pork cutlet curry, but I bet you already know that, CoCo's is where it's at.
 By the way, you've been on the base, right? Of course you have, you're a Marine.  They opened up a Chili's here not too long ago. So whenever you get back on the mainland and you feel like some Chili's, they got it on the base.
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Feb 2 2008, 01:17 PM
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#67
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 mercenary on call Group: Member Posts: 926 Joined: Aug 2006 Member No: 447,606 |
QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 2 2008, 06:48 PM) If you have your sights set on a specific branch for whatever reason, learn as much as you possibly can about that particular branch and the opportunities. Enlistment bonuses, going in with a higher rank based on your contract, having the MOS you want; all of that makes a huge difference when starting your military career. You can't attack every corner with the pedal to the ground. Learning how to manipulate the throttle of a car when cornering allows you to maintain high speeds. Don't hate on my M4 (just give the magazine a slap on the ass and eject a round, then try again). Its takes a certain touch.  ^^ ahha that made me smirk I know the military can be a great chance for any rural community. There's my two cents |
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Feb 2 2008, 03:28 PM
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#68
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 Melieized Group: Official Designer Posts: 1,372 Joined: Nov 2006 Member No: 478,715 |
QUOTE(Stuckie @ Jan 3 2008, 01:31 AM) The Air Force can do D&C pretty well. Army leads the way Hooah!!! ahhh...a fellow army soldier  QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Jan 3 2008, 03:19 PM) Don't worry, no Army jokes. My friend Tracy died in Samarra, Iraq in September. I promised him a truce that I wouldn't make fun of the rank structure, the word "Sarge," ugly dress uniforms, berets, and all the other good stuff if something were to ever happen to him. I'll stay true to my word. But, the Army leads the way? You actually believe that? well, then i guess i won't mention any marine comments huh? lol (just kidding) |
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Feb 2 2008, 07:12 PM
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#69
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The Resident Drunk Group: Head Staff Posts: 8,623 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 593,266 |
I think that I may join and try to go into the fire department there.
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Feb 2 2008, 07:18 PM
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#70
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE(DoubleJ @ Feb 2 2008, 06:12 PM) I think that I may join and try to go into the fire department there. Marine Corps Crash Fire Rescue. Or if you want to go the EMT route, the Navy also has their own thing. |
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Feb 6 2008, 08:51 PM
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#71
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 I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite :-) Group: Official Member Posts: 3,008 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 601,399 |
i would never join the military
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| *Steven* |
Feb 6 2008, 08:51 PM
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#72
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QUOTE(ProudLeechLover @ Feb 6 2008, 07:51 PM) i would never join the military BWAKKKK |
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Feb 6 2008, 08:57 PM
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#73
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I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite :-) Group: Official Member Posts: 3,008 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 601,399 |
QUOTE(Steven @ Feb 6 2008, 08:51 PM) BWAKKKK i enjoy living  i wouldnt put myself in that kind of danger unless i HAD to. then i would break my leg and arm so i wouldnt have to |
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| *Steven* |
Feb 6 2008, 08:58 PM
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#74
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QUOTE(Steven @ Feb 6 2008, 07:51 PM) BWAKKKK QUOTE(Steven @ Feb 6 2008, 07:51 PM) BWAKKKK |
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Feb 6 2008, 09:46 PM
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#75
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^_^ Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 8,141 Joined: Jan 2005 Member No: 91,466 |
QUOTE( @ Feb 6 2008, 07:47 PM) From experience, if you intend to join, be warned. Your career will depend greatly upon the person directly above you. You can suck at your job, but if they like you, your career is set. You can be awesome, but if they hate you, prepare for a battle to save your career. I've been in both worlds. By the grace of God, I have a clean sheet. I went from the field to the command deck. I hate the command deck because of the politics, but the Chief of Staff has given me his approval. QUOTE('leecheatergirlorsomething') i would never join the military Two years ago, I said the same thing. QUOTE i enjoy living i wouldnt put myself in that kind of danger unless i HAD to. then i would break my leg and arm so i wouldnt have to Joining the military isn't an expressway to death. |
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